Alright so being the die hard Pearl Jam fan that I am, when I saw that Band of Horses were opening for some of their dates this summer, I was ecstatic. Pearl Jam is still supporting their solid 2009 effort Backspacer, while BoH will be supporting their new album, Infinite Arms, due out mid May. Can’t wait for this! Check out the Band of Horses dates below. I’ve seen both bands before and would definitely recommend them to see live.

03-15 Boulder, CO - Fox Theater
03-16 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
03-18 Austin, TX - Stubbs BBQ
03-19 Austin, TX - Central Presbyterian Church
04-08 Paris, France - La Fleche D’or
04-09 Brussels, Belgium - Orangerie
04-10 Rotterdam, Netherlands - Motel Mozaique
04-12 London, England - Koko
04-14 Cologne, Germany - Kulturkirche
04-16 Oslo, Norway - Rockefeller
04-17 Gothenburg, Sweden - Tradgarn
04-18 Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega
04-23 Raleigh, NC - Walnut Creek Amphitheater *
04-24 Raleigh, NC - Walnut Creek Amphitheater *
04-27 Gainesville, FL - University of Florida’s Rion Ballroom
04-28 Miami, FL - The Fillmore
04-29 Orlando, FL - House of Blues
05-01 New Orleans, LA - Jazzfest
05-02 Memphis, TN - Beale Street Music Festival
05-03 Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center ^
05-04 St. Louis, MO - Scottrade Center ^
05-06 Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena ^
05-07 Noblesville, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center ^
05-09 Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena ^
05-10 Buffalo, NY - HSBC Arena ^
05-13 Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Live ^
05-15 Hartford, CT - XL Center ^
05-17 Boston, MA - TD Garden ^
05-21 New York, NY - Madison Square Garden ^
05-30 Bend, OR - Les Schwab Amphitheater %
05-31 George, WA - Sasquatch
06-05 Bangor, Ireland - Ward Park &
06-09 London, England - Roundhouse
06-12 Glasgow, Scotland - Bellahouston Park &
06-19 Toronto, Ontario - Olympic Island
09-25 Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre

* with Widespread Panic
^ with Pearl Jam
% with She & Him
& with Snow Patrol

Hey kids,

It’s Wednesday March 10 and it is a beautiful day here in Champaign. Unofficial was last weekend, thanks to everyone who trashed our campus town streets…

Anyway, this past Sunday Santahh stopped by the studio during Inner Limits (our Local music show playing only the best in music from C-U from 9pm to 10pm) and debuted 4 new songs off their upcoming first full length release White Noise Bed. The songs all sounded great. I am being completely honest when I say that I can not pick a stand out track from the 4, they were all equally excellent. They will performing live this Saturday at the Courtyard Cafe! So after you go see local sketch comedy kings Fishing With Dynamite at the Canopy Club (that show starts at 7) get your butts over the to Courtyard to see one of C-U’s most promising local bands!

Until next time, stay sexy C-U,
Mike Rotsch

Well those French dudes dressed up in mysterious robot outfits that make really really good house music and practically changed the scope of electronic music are at it again. For a long time there have been clips claiming to be music from the new film Tron Legacy, where Daft Punk scored the futuristic film…but they have been fakes. So here’s the first look at the movie with the trailor. This looks awesome to say the least.

guys, the new mgmt album has leaked a song, with the same title as the album, “Congratulations.”

the general idea: slow, plodding bass and drums, with falling harplike melodies up top at the beginning. after the vocals come in, it becomes a very relaxed ethereal and ambient song.

you can tell it’s them, though. the same notes they used on Oracular Spectacular, the same relaxed subdued vocals.

didn’t they say something about this album being influenced by surfing? i guess this just means a little more lagoon noises, a little less shouting kids. probably a welcome change.

Hey kids,

IT’S MARCH! HOLY COW! Where has the semester gone? Unofficial is on Friday, I hope you all don’t get alcohol poisoning…

Anyway, I turned 21 last Thursday! No more drinking related ordinance violations for me…hopefully…
Last Thursday I was “roasted” on the NightCap. It was a lot of fun and we plan on re-airing some of that show within the couple weeks. Tune in this Thursday for another impromptu roast of another Dj here at WPGU!

Last but certainly not least, I am sad and excited to say I will not be partaking in this Friday’s festivities because I am going to see New Found Glory and Saves The Day at the House of Blues in Chicago! NFG will be playing their self-titled album in it’s entirety! I’m very excited to relive my middle school years!

Until next time, stay sexy Champaign!
-Mike Rotsch

There are so, many, albums out in the next few weeks. Good ones. Gorillaz, Liars, & Broken Bells to name a few. So hear them before they come out through this stream HERE. Go! Go! Before it’s too late!

Last year, I nearly lost my mind when the Bonnaroo lineup was released. Not only was my favorite band, Phish, headlining two nights, but there were at least 20 other bands that I had never seen before and who I really wanted to see. Not to mention such attractions as a Yeasayer late night show and David Bryne curating his own stage. Sadly, I had to abandon my plans to go to Bonnaroo last year. And now that the lineup for 2010 has come out, I’m not sure I’m convinced I’ll be attending this year either.

With such a perfect lineup last summer, it seemed inevitable that Bonnaroo 2010 would be somewhat of a letdown…and it was, at least for me. In fact, I couldn’t even tell who the headliners were. Dave Matthews Band? No it couldn’t be, but it is.

Even though the 2010 lineup for Bonnaroo is underwhelming, I think the real crime is that Coachella takes in April and as a college student, it is significantly difficult to justify flying to Arizona for a weekend. Take a look at their awesome lineup here, but be prepare yourself for the extreme desire to attend.

Wooo! Get ready. The Hold Steady announced the release of their 5th full length LP, out May 4th entitled Heaven Is Whenever. That day is going to be incredible, Broken Social Scene’s new album comes out then, rumor has it Band of Horses are working on putting something new out in May…keep your eyes and ears open!

Joe Pug will be playing a secret show Wed. afternoon in campustown. More details to come.

Joe will also be playing Canopy Club with his full band to promote his first full length album “Messenger” released earlier this month.

Nick Jones

Hey kids,

it’s a gloomy and rainy Monday in Champaign. Which is a depressing way to start what will hopefully be a great week for each and every one of you. But that does not mean there aren’t some incredible things that happened this weekend to inspire you to greatness this week!

First and foremost, TEAM USA BEAT CANADA (YES CANADA!) 5 TO 3 IN OLYMPIC HOCKEY YESTERDAY! I will be the first one to admit that I am not a big hockey fan but when the Olympics come around I feel inclined to jump on the patriotic bandwagon for the red, white and blue and yesterday’s victory over the team who has to win the gold strengthened my faith in our great country’s chances at winning our first Olympic gold in hockey since the miracle on ice. Also, in more Olympic news Bode Miller finally captured his first gold medal! Way to go Bode.

Changing the subject now to movies, I saw Shutter Island Friday on opening night. It was incredible. As a huge movie I can say that no movie in my life has ever gripped me more than Shutter Island. The trailers make the viewer believe you are just in for another scary, thriller themed movie but Shutter Island is so much more than that. Go see it and see it with an open mind. Allow the movie to take you on its intended course and you will be rewarded with an incredible movie-going experience.

Lastly, I TURN 21 ON THURSDAY! No more drinking tickets for me! That certainly will make my parents happy…

That’s all for now,
stay sexy Champaign-Urbana,

MIKE ROTSCH